Police officer arrested for killing famo artist

MASERU — A police officer was arrested on Thursday for allegedly killing a famo musician in Mohale’s Hoek last year.
Makhaula Hlakane, 35, was gunned down by an armed gang after he disembarked from a taxi in Mohale’s Hoek last year.
Police spokesperson Masupha Masupha said the 29-year-old policeman was arrested alongside a 32-year-old man from Mafeteng for allegedly shooting dead Hlakane and a 15-year-old boy.
Hlakane and the teenager were shot dead by a group of gunmen who were travelling with them in a taxi from Mafeteng to Mohale’s Hoek.
The two suspects are said to have been part of this group.
“When the taxi was dropping Hlakane at Ha Soakala bus stop the gunmen also disembarked and started shooting at him and other passengers,” Masupha said.
He said the driver of the taxi sped off from the scene but the gunmen continued firing, killing the 15-year-old boy.
Police found 9mm and 7.65 bullets at the scene.
The taxi driver then drove to the local police station where he reported the matter.
By the time the police arrived the gang had already fled the scene.
The late Hlakane was affiliated with a famo group known as Seakhi that has been fighting with the Terene gang for years.
According to police the war between the two groups has claimed the lives of more than 100 famo musicians and producers in the past two years.
The killings have mostly been triggered by competition for sales and allegations of offensive lyrics between the two gangs.
Most of the killings have happened in Mafeteng, a district known for producing some of the country’s best famo artists.
Masupha said the police would deal with anyone suspected of murder even if they are members of the police force.
He said members of the public have in the past often claimed that some police officers could be involved in the famo gang wars.
“We have promised that we will deal with those who break the law even if they are police officers.
“The law will deal with them and they will face the consequences as long as investigations reveal that they have been involved in crime,” he said.

Lesotho Times

Lesotho's widely read newspaper, published every Thursday and distributed throughout the country and in some parts of South Africa.

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